Governance in small places : the unleashing of asymmetric federalism

Abstract

First Nations, cities, and universities in Canada — apart from provinces, territories, and municipalities—are engaged in decision-making, often within interlocking and overlapping policy regimes. In Canada and beyond, sub-national (often island) jurisdictions are additional actors in a contemporary game of intersecting governance. Successful examples of asymmetrical federalism, where sub-national units enjoy a level of autonomy, privilege, or power that other sub-national units within the same state do not necessarily share, also can be found. These examples share the recognition of the power of jurisdiction as an economic resource.